Yellow jersey Demi Vollering put a star subsequent to stage 4 on the Tour de France Femmes, which mixed the most effective elements of the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, each races she had gained in earlier years. However when officers confirmed that the victory went to Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) after a photo-finish dash, Vollering stated she had “no regrets”.
“It is a good day for me and for the entire group. My teammates did job with preserving me protected at this time and within the entrance. It was a pleasant day for us,” the SD Worx-Protime rider advised the press on the rain-soaked end line in Liège.
Vollering, at present main the general classification after successful yesterday’s stage 3 time trial in Rotterdam, was a part of a three-rider breakaway that sprinted for the win in Liège.
She, together with Pieterse and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM), broke away from what was left of the sphere with 13.4km to go on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. Niewiadoma attacked on the ultimate run-in, however Vollering closed the hole simply as Pieterse launched her dash from the third wheel. Vollering responded and the pair reached the end line on the similar time, with officers later confirming Pieterse’s victory.
“I hoped first Puck would shut [the gap to Niewiadoma], however she did not immediately, so I did it myself as a result of I did not need to give Kasia an excessive amount of area, as a result of when she’s gone, she’s gone. Then I closed it alone velocity, in order that I did not empty myself there and that I knew that Kasia would go away somewhat bit for the previous few hundred metres, and that was sort of a lead-out for us. I hoped she saved going, and by chance she did,” Vollering defined how the ultimate few hundred metres of the stage performed out.
“Puck began to dash first. I assumed for just a few seconds that I might make it, however on the road I had the sensation that it was not sufficient, and Puck gained. It is good as a result of Puck is a proficient rider, and he or she actually deserves it.”
Vollering stated that she wasn’t shocked to see Pieterse win the dash due to her success within the sport in a number of disciplines, and since she felt that Pieterse performed a greater tactical sport within the remaining kilometre.
“I do know that Puck is an efficient rider, and I do know that she has dash. I received the sensation that in the previous few kilometres she was holding again somewhat bit. She might do extra. I stated, ‘I believe you’ll be able to nonetheless do extra’, however she was saving somewhat bit, and he or she attacked on the finish. It was between me and Kasia for the GC, so it was OK. It was day for us,” Vollering stated.
Vollering stated she was disillusioned after ending third place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in April however had the alternative feeling when ending second on stage 4 on the Tour on an analogous course.
“First, it was good to have a brand new alternative right here in the midst of the season, after the frustration within the spring, so I used to be motivated to go for the win,” she stated.
“Additionally, I simply wished to race right here at this time with out regrets, and that’s what I did. I am unable to have regrets after the end line, so I do not take into consideration that. I used to be second and I have to do not forget that I used to be going for the GC additionally at this time, so I am actually completely satisfied about that.”
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